Trump's former adviser Kash Patel claimed that the judge in the president-elect's hush money case doesn't have the "wherewithal" to undo the conviction.

Patel’s career began as a public defender in Miami, where he spent nearly nine years handling high-stakes criminal cases, including murder, drug trafficking, and financial crimes.

Last year, as Donald Trump's reelection bid was underway, he declared that a new book by his fiercely loyal adviser Kash Patel would serve as a "blueprint" for his next administration. "This is the roadmap to end the Deep State's reign,

US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed John Ratcliffe as the director of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Ratcliffe who has got the powerful position has previously been Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in the US.

Former Department of Defense official Kash Patel is reportedly under consideration for key national security roles within the Trump administration, including the powerful position of CIA director. Known for his loyalty

Ratcliffe served as the nation's top spy from late May 2020 until Trump left office in January 2021. More recently, he was co-chair of the Center for American Security, a think tank advocating Trump positions, and advised the former Republican president on national security policy during his 2024 campaign.

John Ratcliffe, a close ally of Trump, served as director of national intelligence at the end of his first term.